Tracking the 5th-year options on the 2020 NFL draft class
Tuesday marked the deadline for teams to pick up the fifth-year contract options on the first-round picks from the draft class of 2020. All first-round picks get initial contracts for four seasons with a club option for a fifth year.
That fifth year is not a cheap one. Values are based on the average salary at a particular position, with additions to the base average according to playing time and Pro Bowl honors. Exercising the option guarantees the full salary for the player. They become unrestricted free agents after the conclusion of the fifth season, barring any extensions.
Picking up the option doesn’t mean the two sides can’t agree to a contract extension. Players can also be traded or cut, but the salary is guaranteed.
No. 1: Joe Burrow, QB, Bengals
The Bengals picked up the option on Burrow, which costs Cincinnati $29.5 million.
No. 2: Chase Young, EDGE, Commanders
The Commanders did not pick up Young’s option.
No. 3: Jeff Okudah, CB, Lions
Okudah was traded to the Atlanta Falcons this offseason, eliminating his fifth-year option.
No. 4: Andrew Thomas, OT, Giants
New York picked up Thomas’ fifth-year option for $14.18 million.
No. 5: Tua Tagovailoa, QB, Dolphins
The Dolphins did pick up Tagovailoa’s option for $23.2 million.
No. 6: Justin Herbert, QB, Chargers
The Chargers exercised the option on Herbert for $29.5 million.
No. 7: Derrick Brown, DT, Panthers
The Panthers optioned Brown for a fifth year for $11.67 million.
No. 8: Isaiah Simmons, LB, Cardinals
Arizona did not pick up the option on Simmons.
9. C.J. Henderson, CB, Jaguars
Henderson’s option was not picked up by the Panthers, who acquired him in a trade from the Jaguars in 2021.
No. 10: Jedrick Wills, OT, Browns
The Browns picked up the fifth-year option on Wills for $14.18 million.
Teams picked up six options for the first 10 players selected.
No. 11: Mekhi Becton, OT, Jets
The Jets did not pick up Becton’s option.
No. 12: Henry Ruggs, WR, Raiders
Ruggs was waived by Las Vegas in 2021.
No. 13: Tristan Wirfs, OT, Buccaneers
The Buccaneers picked up the fifth-year option on Wirfs for $18.44 million.
No. 14: Javon Kinlaw, DT, 49ers
San Francisco did not pick up Kinlaw’s option.
No. 15: Jerry Jeudy, WR, Broncos
The Broncos exercised the option on Jeudy for $12.99 million.
16. A.J. Terrell, CB, Falcons
The Falcons exercised the fifth year for Terrell at $12.34 million.
17. CeeDee Lamb, WR, Cowboys
Lamb will be back for a fifth year in Dallas at a rate of $17.99 million.
No. 18: Austin Jackson, OT, Dolphins
The Dolphins failed to exercise the option on Jackson.
No. 19: Damon Arnette, CB, Raiders
Arnette was waived by the Raiders in 2021.
No. 20: K'Lavon Chaisson, EDGE, Jaguars
The Jaguars declined the option on Chaisson.
No. 21: Jalen Reagor, WR, Eagles
Reagor’s option was not picked up by the Vikings, who traded for the Eagles wideout in 2022.
No. 22: Justin Jefferson, WR, Vikings
The Vikings smartly picked up Jefferson’s fifth-year option at $19.74 million.
No. 23: Kenneth Murray, LB, Chargers
The Chargers did not pick up Murray’s option.
No. 24: Cesar Ruiz, OL, Saints
New Orleans elected to not pick up the fifth-year option on Ruiz.
No. 25: Brandon Aiyuk, WR, 49ers
Aiyuk is back with the 49ers for 2024 after the team exercised the option at $14.12 million.
No. 26: Jordan Love, QB, Packers
The Packers and Love agreed to a contract extension just before Tuesday’s deadline.
No. 27: Jordyn Brooks, LB, Seahawks
The Seahawks did not pick up the fifth-year option on Brooks.
No. 28: Patrick Queen, QB, Ravens
Baltimore turned down the option on Queen.
No. 29: Isaiah Wilson, OT, Titans
Wilson has been out of the league since 2021
No. 30: Noah Igbinoghene, CB, Dolphins
Miami rejected the fifth-year option on Igbinoghene.
No. 31: Jeff Gladney, CB, Vikings
Gladney passed away in May of 2022. Rest in peace.
No. 32: Clyde Edwards-Helaire, RB, Chiefs
Kansas City did not pick up Edwards-Helaire’s fifth-year option.
Final tally
A total of 12 fifth-year options were exercised on the 32 picks. Six of those came in the first 10 picks, which means just six more options got picked up in the final 22 picks. One of those, Jordan Love, signed an extension instead.
